Well packer



Patented Feb. 6, 1951 WELL PACKER Claude C. Taylor, Long Beach, and Edgar W. McGaffey, Oildale, Calif., assignors, by direct and mesne assignments, to McGaffey-Taylor Corporation, Long Beach, Calif., a corporation of `California Application January 30, 1945, Serial No. 575,252

(Cl. 16S-12) 11 Claims.

This invention relates to a tool for use in packing off cased oil wells.

It is known to provide a tool for use in cased wells, comprising a packer adapted to be secured to a tubing string and arranged to seal between the casing and the tubing by pressure trapped below the packer. Such a tool also isv provided with casing gripping means adapted to grip the casing in response to upward movement of the packer relative to the tubing or downward movement of the tubing relative to the packer.

With a tool arranged in this manner, the weight of the tubing string acts in opposition to the excess well pressure trapped below the packer, to cause the casing gripping means or slip mechanism to grip the casing. At the same time, the well pressure acts on the tubing string to lift it, and thereby reduces the effective Weight exerted by the tubing to expand the slip mechanism.

It is an object of this invention to provide such a tool wherein the excess well pressure below the packer has no tendency to loosen the slips or casing gripping means, or to raise the tool.

' It is another object of this invention to provide such a tool wherein the excess well pressure below the packer exerts a downward force on the tubing string.

It is another object of this invention to prof vide such a tool wherein the excess well pressure below the packer exerts a force urging the slips to expanded condition in assisting relation to;I the force exerted by the packer for such purpose.;

In the tools of the character under discussion, it is usual to provide means, optionally operable, to form a by-pass around the packer. It is another object of this invention to provide such a tool wherein the by-pass can be openedl without the necessity of downward movement of, any part of the tool.

Tools of the character under discussion are extensively used in the pressure cementing of wells. In such an operation, cement slurry is forced down the tubing string and out the lower end thereof into the casing, the packer serving to prevent passage of the cement upwardly in the casing exteriorly of the tubing. The cement is thus obliged to pass out of the casing through appropriate openings in the casing into the formation. In general, the removal of such tools upon completion of the cementing operation `is diilicult or even impossible. It is thus another object of this invention to provide a tool ca pable of use for pressure cementing and which may be removed readily from the well upon completion of the cementing operation.

It is anotherV object of this invention to provide such a tool wherein the excess cement may be removed after the cementing operation has been completed, without moving any part of the tool.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a tool of the character described in which excess pressure below the packer can be relieved without the necessity of withdrawing thetool.

It is a still 'further object of this invention to provide such a tool wherein no ports are necessary in the tubing string or extension thereof.

'I'his invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of the invention. For this purpose there is shown a form in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. 'I'his form, whichv illustrates the general principles of the invention, will now be described in detail; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical axial section, partly in elevation, of a tool incorporating the features of the invention in place in a well casing;

Figure 2 is a similar view, showing a different operating position of the parts.

Referring to the drawing, the tool I is shown as comprising an elongated body 2 which is adapted for insertion in a well casing 3, and is supported therein by a hollow mandrel 4 extending axially through the body 2. This body 2 is movable, angularly and axially, relative to the mandrel 4 to a limited extent. The mandrel 4 is secured to the lower end of a string of tubing or drill pipe 5 by a special coupling member 6. As is well understood, the tubing string 5 extends to the mouth of the well where it is supported 5 and arranged for movement to manipulate the tool in the casing 3. This means comprises aV movement of the slip head, or upward movement of the bowl, or both, the slips II are expanded and urged outwardly to operative position, engaging theV casing 3. When the slip head I3 moves outwardly of the bowl 9, the slips II are retracted to inoperative position, free of the casing This is similar to the conventional slip arrangement sometimes known as a down drive spear.

The slip head I3 has a bore I4 slidingly ing the slip head on the upper end portion of the mandrel 4, a lost motion connection I5 being provided between the mandrel and the slip head. That is, an upper hollow extension IB is secured to the slip head at Iii-a, as by welding or in any other suitable manner. The upper end of this extension I6 terminates in an inwardly directed ange or lip I1 arranged to be engaged by an outwardly directed projection or ange I8 on the coupling 6. Engagement of the proieotions I1 and I8 (Figure 1) serves to limit relative movement between the slip head I3 and the mandrel 4 Vinone direction'and engagement of the coupling 6 with the top of the slip head I3 (Figure 2) serves to limit such movement in the opposite direction; Y

The body 2 has a reduced portion 2U below the bowl 9 with a bore`2I slidinglv accommodating the mandrel 4. The body portion 2l) has a bayonet slot 22 for'receiving a pin 23 on the mandrel 4. When the pin 23 is in the transverse portion 22-a of the slot 22-,Ythe mandrel 4 is secured at its uppermost position with respect to the body2, the flange I8 on coupling E, by engaging the'lipr I1 on theV slip head I3, serving to maintain the slip head in its outer position from the bowl 9, whereby the slips II'are held in their'retracted positions, (see Figure l) By rotating the mandrel 4 a fraction of a turn clockwise (looking `axially from above the mandrel), the pin=23 is positioned above the vertical portion' 22-b Yof the slot 22, allowing the mandrel 4v to move downwardly in therbody 2. Conventional Vbow springs V24 are provided on the body 2 which, byV engagement with the casing, restrain the body 2 against mount- 4 diameter, forming a valve chamber 35. The lower end of the bore 28 is closed by a head 33 through which the mandrel 4 passes, a packing 3'! being provided to prevent leakage of the fluid between the mandrel and the head. The mandrel 4 is provided with a piston or valve member 36 which may comprise a downwardly'directed cup leather 32, which seals against the Wall of the chamber to prevent passage of fluid upwardly in the chamber past the piston 38.

A second piston or movable wall 4d is secured on the mandrel 4 in spacedV relation below the Y piston 38, and may comprise an upwardly directed cup leather 4i, which seals against the wall of the lower portion or working chamber 42 of the bore 23, to'prevent passage of uid downwardly in the chamber 42 past the piston 4i). The cham- 'ber 42 is thus an expansible pressure chamber.

'I'he pistons 38 and 44 cooperate with the bore 28 to form a closed pressure space or expansible chamber 43 between the pistons. A port 45-near the upper end'of the chamber 42 places the space or chamber 43 in constant communication with the interior of the casing 3 below the packer 21. Thus, due to the larger area of the piston 43 as compared with the piston 38, any well pressure below the packer 21 in excess of the pressure above the packer 21, is effective to urge the mandrel 4 and the attached tubing string 5 downwardly with respect to the packer.

When it is desired to run the tool into well, a novel by-pass arrangement permits ow of uid from one side of the packer to the other, to prevent tearing of therpackers, Additionally, preliminary pumping down of cement, and washing of the excess cement from the tool are readily performed by the provision of such a bypass.

'Thus, means are provided whereby the space 43 may be optionally placedin communication with the interior of the casing 3 above the packer 21,

" thereby forming a bypass around the packer. For

this purpose a port 46 is provided through the body 2, above the packer 21, into the valve chamber 35, and positioned so as to be traversed by the piston 43Y near thefupper end of'its stroke.

To permit control of the bypass and additionally-to control the pressure conditions in the space 43, an equalizing port 41 is provided, which communicates with the working chamber 42 near its lower end and enters the valve chamber 35 through an access port i1-a so located as to movementduring such unlocking operation,'and Y until the slips I I initially-engage the casing. The body 2 has a lower extension 25 which carries the packer forming means V2l, andis provided with a bore 28 through which the mandrel 4passes. The extension 26 has a threaded neck 29 by which it is secured to the upper portion 3Q of-the body 2 and which neck carries the packer 21. This packer 21 is of conventional form and Vagainst upward movement,- pressurebelow the packer urges the lips 3I-a and 32-a outwardly into sealingrelation with-the casing 3. f n The upper portion of thebore-28 is of reduced Y vthe packer.

Ylisis equal to the well pressure below the packer be traversed by the piston 38 near the lower end of its stroke. The piston 38 thus' cooperates with Y the ports and 41 to form a Valve controlling the pressure in the space 43. With the mandrel 4 and the piston 38 at their upper positions in the body 2 (Figure 1),rthe pressure space 43 is in communication with'the interior of the casing 3 aboveand below the packer 2l, since the ports 45 and 42 are both open to the'space 43. Further,- the pressureson opposite sides of the piston 43 are equal, since theport 41 connects the space 43 with that portion of theV chamber 42 below the piston.V Upon movement of the mandrel 4 and the piston 3e to their lower positions (Figure 2), communication between the ports 45 and 4S is interrupted, closing the bypassV around the packer. The ports 46 and lll-a are in communication, via the valve chamber 35 above the piston 38; thus pressure in thechamber 42 below the piston 4Q is equal to the well pressure above The pressure in the working space 271, due to the port 45. Thus,fexcess pressure below` the packer acts on the piston djto urge the.

the mandrel 4 and tubing string' 5' downwardly, with reference to the packer; andslip assembly, thereby avoiding any tendency ofA such pressure to urge the mandrel upwardly and release the slips H.

The operation. oi the tool may be briefly summarized as follows: the` tool is lowered into thewell with the. tool connected to the tubing string- 5, and locked with the body 2 in its lower, slipy retracted position on the mandrel 4', by engagement ofthe pin 23 with the transverseV part- 22-a of the bayonet slot 22 (as shown in Figure 1). In this position the ports i5 and 46.' cooperate to, form a bypass around the packer 21'; thus no fluid is trapped below the packer and the tool can be lowered freely in the casing tothe desired depth. Cement slurry is thenpumped down the tubing string 5 until it reaches the tool. tubing string 5 is then turned to align the pin 234 with the vertical' portion 22-b of the bayonet slot 22, and the tubing lowered further, which sets the, slips I l to engage the casing 3 and. closes the bypass around the packer 2l. This position is shown in Figure 2. The pumping of cement slurry from the surface through the tubing; 5 is then resumed and the slurry forced down and out. the lower end, of the tubing extension 5-ag into the area to be cemented on under pressure.

Upward movement of the tool or drill pipe as the pressure is built up belbw the packer 2l is prevented, since any slight upwardV movement of the body 2, due to the pressure on the packer 2l, 'exerts a pressure against the slips ll and urges them upwardly of slip head I3.,` tightening their contact against the casing. Further, the pressure built up below the packer 2l exerts,` through the port L95, a downward pressure on the` piston 4U, since the space in the chamber 42, below the piston 4Q is equalized to well pressure that exists above the packer 21 through the ports 4,1, 45T-d and 45, as previously explained. The effective area of the piston 4E) is suiliciently greater than the piston 38, so that the piston #le exerts a downward pull on the` mandrel l and the slip, head It, overcoming any popping up tendency of the mandrel 4 and connected parts, due to excess pressure below the packer 2l.

As the pressure increases below the packer 2?, upward force against the slips il increases and downward pressure against the mandrel 4 and the slip head i3 also increases, thereby increasing the locking effectv of the slips ll against either upward or downward movement.`

After the desired amount of cement has been placed, it is necessary to remove and circulate out of the. well any excess cement that may still remain in the, tubing string or in the. tool.. This is readily accomplished, by any one of lseveral procedures.

For example, the tool l` can be left in cementing position and back scuttli-ng used., that is, water from theV surface. pumped down the casing 3, outside the tubing string, past the. compressible packer 2 and the tool l, into the bottom end of the tube 5 a, thence up to the surface through the tube 5j-a mandrel 4 andthe vtubing string 5 until the inside of the casing movement also serves to move the pin 23J up 6 wardly in the slot 22"-b v of-` the bayonet slot- 2E into alignment with the transverse portions i2-ag thereof. The tubing string is then turnedv counterclockwise, engaging-the pin 23` in the trans-Y verse portion 2 2a or the bayonet slot; and locking the body in its lower slip retracted position, as` shown in Figure l. Cleaning fluid, such as' water, is then pumped down the tubing 5, mandrel'4` andout the'lower'end' of the extension 5--av into the interior oi the casing 3l. Thence the, fluid returns upwardly in the casing 3 to the tool i, past the packer il via the ports 45 and 4e, and to the mouth of the welll.

Still another method, which is perhaps simplest and more preferable, is as follows-zraisetheltubing` string 5 to place the tool l in the position of Figure,v 1, opening the bypass around the packer 21, and backscuttleV or force iiuid down the casing 3past the packer 2l via the bypass provided by the portsA 45 and 4t, into the lower end of the tubing 5-a and thence via the mandrel 4 and the tubing string 5 to the mouth of the well. In this case it is not necessary to lock the slips in retracted position as before described, sincethere will be no tendency to force the packer 2T and the tool l upwardly.

We claim:

l. A tool for use in a well bore having a casing, comprising: a body; means forming a packer on said body for sealing against the casing to prevent flow of nui-d upwardly between the bodyand the casing; casing gripping means on said body operable to prevent upward movement of the body and packer in the casing; a 'tubular mandrel extending' axially through the body and adapted to be secured to a tubing string, said mandrel being movable with respect to the body; inea-ns movably mounted on the mandrel :for operating said casing gripping means whereby said relative movement in one direction between said mandrel and said body operates said casing gripping means; means carried bysaid body frictionally engaging the casing to restrain movement of the body therein; means forming a releasable lock between the mandrel and the body preventing relative movement therebetween in a direction to operate said casing gripping means, a pair of lelements forming a pressure responsive assembly, said elements comprising a piston and cylinder, means connecting one of said elements to the mandrel and the other or" said elements to the body; and means in the body maintaining communication between 'the interior of the casing below the packer outside the tool and the interior of the cylinder on one side of the piston whereby fluid pressure below the packer exerts a rforce on said' mandrel to cause relative movement between said mandrel and said in a direction to operate said casing gripping means.

2. A tool for use in a well bore having a casing, comprising: a body; means forming a packer on said body for sealing against the casing to prevent flow of fluid upwardly between the body and the casing; easing gripping means on said body operable to prevent upward movement of the body and packer in the casing; a tubular mandrel extending axially through the body and adapted to be secured to a tubing string, said mandrel being movable with respect to the body; means movably mounted on the mandrel for operating said casing gripping means whereby relative movement in one direction between said mandrel and said body operates said casing gripping means; means carried by said body frictionally engaging the casing to restrain movement of the body therein; means forming a releasable lock between the mandrel and the body preventing relative movementl therebetween in a, direction to operate said casing gripping means; a piston and cylinder assembly connected with said mandrel and said body, said piston being connected to the mandrel; and means in the body forming a passage between the interior of.

said cylinder above the piston and the interior of the casing below the packer outside the tool, whereby iluid pressure in the casing below the packer urges movement between said mandrel and said body in a direction to operate said casing gripping means.

3. A Vtool for use in a well bore having a casing, comprising: a body; means forming a packer on said body for sealing against the casing to prevent flow of fluid upwardly between the body and the casing; casing gripping means on said body operable to prevent upward movement of the body and packer in the casing; a tubular mandrel extending axially through the body and adapted'to be secured to a tubing string, said mandrel being movable with respect to the body; said casing gripping means comprising a pair of relatively movable members, connected together and connected respectively for movement with the body and with the mandrel whereby relative movement between the mandrel and the body will operate said casing gripping means; means carried by Vsaid body frictionally engaging the casing to restrain movement of the body therein; means forming a releasable lock between the mandrel and the body preventing relative movement therebetween in a direction to operate said casing gripping means; means forming a cylinder in said body; a piston within said cylinder, cooperating therewith to form an eX- pansible pressure chamber 'and secured to said mandrel; means in said body maintaining communication between the interior of the casing below the ,packer and said chamber; means in the body for establishing communication between said chamber and the interior of the casing above said packer; and means on the mandrel, operable for interrupting said last mentioned communication upon movement of said mandrel to operate the casing gripping means.

4. A well packer for use in a well bore having a casing and adapted to be secured to the lower end of a tubing string, comprising: a packing dcvice; casng gripping means connected to said packing device for preventing upward movement Vof said device in the casing; said casing gripping means comprising slips and a slip head, said slips and said slip head forming relatively movable members, relative movement therebetween serving to operate the slips to engage the casing;

VmeansY movably carried by the packing device for operating to form expansible pressure chambersV on opposite sides of the piston; means in the cylof said chambers and the interior of the casing above the packing device outside the well packer; means attached to the piston connected with one of said movable members for movement with said piston; and means on the cylinder connecting the other of said members for movement with said cylinder, whereby increase of pressure in the interior of the casing below said packing device relative to the pressure in the interior of the casing above the packing device, urges operation of said casing gripping means to cause said slips to engage the casing.

5. A tool for use in a well bore having a casing, comprising a body, means forming a packer on said body for sealing against the casing to prevent flow of fluid upwardly between the body and the casing, slips on the body for gripping the casing and preventing upward movement of the body and the packer in the casing, a tubular mandrel adapted to be secured to a tubing string,

` extending axially through the body and movable between the interiors of the remote ends of the inder establishing communication between one ci said chambers and the interior of the casing below the` packing device; means in the cylinder establishing communication between Y the other with respect thereto, a slip head movable with respect to the body and adapted to operate the slips to casing gripping position in response to downward movement of the slip head relative to the' body, means connecting said slip head to said mandrel permitting limited axial movement of said mandrel with respect to said slip head, means carried by said body frictionally eng gaging the casing to restrain movement of the body therein, means releasably securing said mandrel to said body against slip operating movement, means forming a pair of expansible pressure chambers connected to said body to move therewith and separated by a movable wall secured to said mandrel, one of said chambers being in continuous communication with the interior of the casing below the packer, port forming means in said one chamber in communication with the interior of the casing above the packer; means carried by said mandrel for controlling said port forming means in accordance Vwith the position of said mandrel, and means on said body forming Va port/connecting said chambers and controlled by the means carried by said mandrel for establishing communication between the other of said pressure chambers and said port forming means, upon a predetermined downward movement of said mandrel relative to said body; the connecting means between the siip head and the mandrel preventing operation of the slips to casing gripping position until after the interruption of' communication between said one of said chambers and the interior or the casing above the packer and the establishment ci communica- Ytion between said other of said ychambers and the interior of the casing aboveV the packer.

Y 6. In a pressure actuated mechanism; means forming a pair of coaxial cylinders of diierent diameters, secured to each other and freely communicating at their adjacent ends; a pair or pistons respectively in said cylinders; means securing said pistons in xed axial relationship; means for establishing communication between the interior of one of said cylinders at that end adjacent the other cylinder with a source of pressure; means for establishing communication cylinders with another source of pressure, said sources providing different pressures, whereby relative movement between the cylinders and pistons is caused, said last mentioned communication forming means including a port so spaced from the end of one of said cylinders as to be traversed by the Vpiston therein as Vthe piston approaches die. er@ ef eine@ whereby i @S- tablish communication between said pressure Sources. f

'1. Aftool for use in a Well bore having a casing, comprising: a body; a packer on said body for sealing against the casing; casing gripping members on the `body for preventing upward movement of the body and packer in the casing; a member movably mounted on said tool for movement with respect to the body for operating the casing gripping members to grip the casing; a mandrel mounting said body for movement relative thereto, means on said mandrel engageable with and adapted to move said movably mounted member upon movement of said mandrel relative to said body; said mandrel being adapted for connection with a tubing string and movable therewith relative to said body to cause said movably mounted member to operate said casing gripping members to grip the casing; means on the body frictionally engageable with the casing to restrain movement of the body therein; means releasably connecting said mandrel with said body against relative movement therebetween for preventing operating movement of said movably mounted member With respect to the body and retaining the casing gripping members in inoperative condition; and means sealing between said mandrel and said body.

8. A tool for use in a well bore having a casing, comprising a body; a packer on said body for sealing against the casing; members on the body for gripping the casing to prevent upward movement of the body and packer in the casing; a member movably mounted on said tool for movement with respect to the body for operating the casing gripping members to grip the casing; a mandrel mounting said body for movement relative thereto, means on said mandrel engageable With and adapted to move said movably mounted member upon movement of said mandrel relative to said body; said mandrel being adapted for connection with a tubing string for movement therewith relative to said body; means on the body frictionally engageable with the casing to restrain movement of the body therein; means releasably connecting said body with said mandrel against relative movement therebetween for preventing operating movement of said movably mounted member with respect to the body and retaining the casing gripping members in inoperative condition; and iiuid pressure means comprising a pair of relatively movable elements connected respectively to said mandrel and said body to exert a force urging relative movement between said movable elements.

9. A tool for use in a well bore having a casing, comprising: a body; a packer on said body for sealing against the casing; casing gripping members on the body for gripping the casing to prevent upward movement of the bodyl and packer in the casing; a member movably mounted on said tool for movement with respect to the body for operating the casing gripping members to grip the casing; a mandrel mounting said body for movement relative thereto and engageable with and adapted to move said movably mounted member; said mandrel being adapted for connection with a tubing string for movement therewith; means on the body frictionally engageable with the casing to restrain movement of the body therein; means releasably connecting said body and said mandrel @gat-rist. IIQY@ mOi/enigmi fol PIQVf-*mm Op?? ating 'movement of said movably mounted' member with respect to the body and retaining the casing gripping" members in inoperative condition; 'means on thelower'end of said body forming a bore, closed at its ends; means forming a movable wall in said bore 4coimerating therewith to form a pair of eXpansible pressure: chambers; said movable wall being connected to the mandrel; and means forming communications respectively between the interior oi the casing on opposite sides of the packer and said chambers, whereby excess pressure on one side of said packer exerts a force on said mandrel to operate said movably mounted member to urge said casing gripping members in casing gripping direction.

i0. A tool for use in a well bore having a casing, comprising: a body, a packer on said body for sealing against the casing; members on the body for gripping the casing to prevent upward movement of the body and packer in the casing; a member movably mounted on said tool for movement with respect to the body, for operating the casing gripping members to grip the casing; a mandrel mounting said body for movement relative thereto, means on said mandrel engageable with and adapted to move said movably mounted member upon movement of said Vmandrel relative to said body; said mandrel being adapted for connection with a tubing string to move therewith relative to said body; means on the body irictionally engageable with the casing to restrain movement of the body therein; means releasably connecting said body with said mandrel against relative movement therebetween for preventing operating movement of said movably mounted member with respect to the body and retaining the casing gripping members in inoperative condition; and a cylinder and piston assembly connecting said body and said mandrel, the interior of the cylinder on one side of the piston being communicative with the interior of the casing on one side of the packer, the interior of the cylinder on the opposite side of the piston having a port adapted to be connected with a source of pressure differing from that in said casing interior, whereby'said difference in pressure will exert a force on said mandrel to cause said movably mounted member to urge said casitng gripping members in casing 'gripping direcion.

ll. A tool for use in a well bore having a casing,

comprising: a tubular body; a packer on said body for sealing against the casing; a member movable axially of the body and adapted for connection with a tubing string; slips carried by said body for engaging the casing to prevent upward movement ci the body and packer therein; a slip head movably mounted on said tool for movement with respect to the body in a direction axially thereof, for operating the slips to grip the casing; means forming a by-pass in said body for passing luid between the interior of the casing above the packer and the interior of the casing below the packer, comprising a pair'of axially spaced ports through the wall of the body; means carried by said member within said body for interrupting communication between said ports and controlling said by-pass in accordance with the position of said member with respect to the body; and means carried on said member forming a lost motion connection between said slip head and said member operable by the same il movement to cause by-pass closing movement of said member and to operate the slips.

CLAUDE C. TAYLOR. EDGAR W. MCGAFFEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are'of record in the leV of this patent:

. l2Y UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Hukill et a1. Aug. 10, 1926 Crago June 19, 1928 Baker Mar. 10, 1942 Otis Feb. 29, 1944- Otis et al. Feb. 29, 1944 

